Tucked away in the Methana Peninsula, just a few hours from Athens, lies a small, remarkable Greek village quite literally built on lava. Its name says it all: Kammeni Chora — which translates to “Burnt Land.”
This unique village is perched next to the Methana Volcano, located along the Saronic Gulf and part of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. The volcano experienced intense volcanic activity between 276 and 239 BC.
In fact, a geological survey conducted in 1987 recorded a total of thirty volcanic craters on the peninsula — both on land and beneath the sea — with the most prominent being the crater of Kammeni Chora itself.
A Landscape Transformed by Fire
Historical accounts trace the eruption back to the reign of Antigonus Gonatas (277–240 BC). The Roman poet Ovid even described the surrounding region as a fertile, fruit-bearing plain that was forever changed by a violent volcanic eruption. The blast buried the land under massive flows of lava and ash, altering the geography permanently.
Kammeni Chora is built right alongside this dramatic crater, though the exact date of its original settlement remains unknown. What we do know is that the steep northern slopes of the village are cloaked in dark, solidified lava, creating a rare and otherworldly landscape.
Whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs dot the terrain, their vibrant simplicity contrasting beautifully with the dark volcanic rock. These homes stand peacefully on fertile ground, in quiet coexistence with the fierce natural power that once reshaped this area.
Nature’s Architecture: Lava Caves and Thermal Pockets
The volcanic terrain gave rise to numerous small caves, which locals cleverly repurposed over the years. In winter, these caves would emit warm air, making them ideal shelters for livestock. In summer, they stayed refreshingly cool and served as natural refrigerators, often sealed with makeshift wooden doors.
The main crater near Kammeni Chora is about 50 meters deep and 100 meters in diameter, with the volcano’s highest cone reaching an elevation of 425 meters.
A Short Hike to a Forgotten World
Reaching the crater is surprisingly easy. It’s only about a 30-minute walk from the village via a gentle path carved into the lava at the base of the hill. The trail does get steeper toward the end, but the effort is more than worth it.
As you ascend, you're treated to breathtaking views and a quiet, almost mystical atmosphere. And once you reach the heart of the now-dormant crater, you're greeted by a cool, refreshing breeze and a sense of awe that only nature’s raw power can inspire.
Kammeni Chora is a living testament to how humanity and nature — even at its most volatile — can coexist. It’s a hidden gem of geological wonder and serene beauty, waiting to be discovered.
